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I make no secret here at Roaminglist that river cruising is one of my favorite types of vacation and one of my #1 suggestions for my fellow baby boomers out there looking for a European vacation.
But, if you’re a first-timer, there are a few things you should know before you book a river cruise.
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#1 – Understand What’s Included
River cruises can vary significantly in what they include in the base price of the cruise. Some offer all-inclusive pricing that covers all meals and drinks, excursions, and gratuities. But others do not include all of that, especially drinks and gratuities. So it’s important to be clear on what’s included when you’re comparing various river cruise lines and prices.
#2 – Consider The Season
And consequently, the weather. European river cruises operate on rivers spanning from far north to far south. Peak season is during the summer months, but spring and autumn are great times to cruise because prices are lower, the crowds are smaller, and the weather might be more moderate than during the middle of summer. But consider the fact that a far northern route in early spring may be quite a bit colder than one in the south. Something to consider if temps matter to you!
#3 – All Itineraries Are Not Created Equal
There may be multiple river cruise lines sailing on a given river route, but don’t assume that they all offer the same things in terms of stops and excursions. Some offer more of a focus on cultural immersion with lots of city tours and museum visits, while others may focus on more scenic excursions. Consider the types of activities that you prefer before making your choice of river cruise lines and itineraries.
#4 – Your Itinerary Could Change
There are no guarantees in life, nor in your river cruise itinerary. Unlike ocean cruises, river cruises are heavily impacted by water levels on the rivers. Too high or too low can sometimes disrupt itineraries. Some months are riskier than others so it’s worth doing a little research or talking to an expert who knows about river cruising. You need to be OK with this. But don’t sweat the small stuff here – the river cruise lines are used to this and will do everything they can to accommodate their passengers and get them to the next port.
#5 – Eeek, What Happened To My View?
River cruises dock at small docks at the side of the river. They are completely unlike anything that ocean cruises dock at. There are only a certain number of spots for the boats to pull up at, and sometimes there is only one spot right at the shore. Which means that if another boat needs to dock after the first spot is taken, the boats have to double up.
Like this:
This means two things –
- There is no such thing as “the best side of the boat” so you always have a view from your cabin. One day you may have the view, the next day you may not. Such is life.
- It’s advisable to be dressed before you open your window coverings in the morning, because there may be another cabin right there. This photo was taken while I was standing on my boat and looking across to the one parked next to us. See what I mean? Oops! Don’t open those curtains until you check LOL.
These things also fall under the “you need to be OK with this” category.
Like I said above, don’t sweat the small stuff! River cruising makes for a fabulous vacation, and these things you should know before you book a river cruise are just that – simply a few little details you should know but not fret over.
And remember, keep calm, and roam on 🙂
